Sport activity in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: evidence and perspectives.

Demographic characteristics of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices have significantly changed during the last few years, according to the ageing of the population and the consequent increase in the number of elderly individuals with indication for pacemaker implant and, on the other hand, to the increased number of young individuals implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for the primary prevention of sudden death. More and more often, both elderly and young patients ask the physician to deal with the device in their daily activities, which often include sport practice. This latter is advisable because of its recognized benefits on cardiovascular prevention, although there are many limitations for patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device.

Electrocardiographic voltage criteria in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Several ECG voltage criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Notably, ECG criteria have been historically validated in concentric LVH but not in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), wherein the hypertrophy pattern is typically asymmetric.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of ECG voltage criteria for LVH diagnosis in the HCM population.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and sport.

Physical activity is worldwide recommended for its benefits on cardiovascular system. There is an increasing number of people of all ages that approach sport activity both as leisure time physical activity and as competitive sport. It is always more frequent the request even from older subjects and cardiac patients to be allowed to practice physical activity.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Comorbidities in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Purpose Of The Review: An increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is reported. The absolute cardiovascular risk in RA patients is higher than in the general population, and although the RA prognosis has gradually improved, premature cardiovascular (CV) mortality remains a matter of fact. The purpose of this review is to shed light on CV and metabolic involvement in RA, with the aim of defining its best management.

Omega 3 and atrial fibrillation: Where are we?

Anti-arrhythmic properties of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, at least in part mediated by anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic power, have been widely proved. Effect of fish oil on atrial fibrillation, both in primary and in secondary prevention and after cardiac surgery, are controversial, mostly due to lack of homogeneity between studies but also due to individual variability in response to fatty acids administration. Inclusion of measurement of incorporation of fish oil into cell membranes, appears to be essential in future studies, to assess their antiarrhythmic effect.

Bilateral internal mammary artery for multi-territory myocardial revascularization: long-term follow-up of pedicled versus skeletonized conduits.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate 17-year actual clinical outcomes of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) using skeletonized versus pedicled bilateral internal mammary arteries (BIMAs).

Methods: From September 1991 to June 1996, 548 consecutive patients underwent CABG for multivessel disease using BIMA. After propensity matching, 350 patients were enrolled: 175 patients with skeletonized BIMA (Group S) and 175 with pedicled BIMA (Group P).